The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Relevance and applicability to physiotherapy

Physical therapy practice is changing along with changes in the way health and social care services are provided. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is an important tool that can augment physical therapy practice through providing a framework and common language in which to collect consistent and reliable information with which to appraise physical therapy practice, facilitate communication across settings and disciplines and to select or develop outcomes measures that are consistent with a client-centred approach to care. This paper provides an outline of the ICF and its use in physical therapy practice and informs readers about the WHO context for maintaining and updating the ICF.